BYLAWS Christian Science Organization At Principia College ARTICLE I – NAME This organization shall be known as ―Christian Science Organization at Principia College.‖ ARTICLE II – AUTHORIZATION This organization is formed under the authority of the Article XXIII, Section 8 of the Manual of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, by Mary Baker Eddy, and in accordance with the rules of Principia College. ARTICLE III – PURPOSE The purpose of this organization is: 1) to nurture the study and practice of Christian Science 2) to spiritualize learning in the Principia community 3) to respond with inspiration to local, national, and global needs. ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Election to Membership A. Applicants for faculty, staff or student membership shall complete an application form which shall be endorsed by a member of the organization who knows the applicant to be a student of Christian Science. Applicants will be interviewed by their endorsers who will send the completed applications to the Board for approval. Applicants will then be notified of the Board’s decision. B. Applicants for graduate membership who are members in good standing with the Mother Church shall complete an application form and shall be elected by unanimous vote of the active members present at any business meeting. C. A graduate member who joins the college faculty or staff may make a request to the Board in writing for a change of membership status. A member who has been absent from the college for more than a year may make a request to the Board in writing for reinstatement of membership. Section 2. Duties and Privileges A. The primary duty and privilege of all members is the daily study and practice of Christian Science, including prayer for the organization and its activities. B. Members are expected to attend services and business meetings, contribute financially to the organization, be familiar with the bylaws and policies, participate in the activities of the organization, and uphold the moral standards of Christian Science. Membership in this organization, for the success of the organization, must be active. Section 3. Discipline A. If a member is believed to be neglecting the duties of membership, the case shall be handled according to Matthew 18: 15-17. B. If an elected officer is neglecting the duties of office, the Board may remove that individual from office by an eight-ninths vote. ARTICLE V – OFFICERS Section 1. Enumeration The elected officers of this organization shall be one President, eleven members of the Executive Board—each chairing one of the eleven Committees of this organization, two Sunday Readers, and three Tuesday Readers. Section 2. Terms of Office A. Membership of the Executive Board shall serve for two quarters, with the option of serving a third. Of the eleven Executive Board members, there will be at least two Faculty/Staff representatives and two student representatives at all times. B. The Sunday Readers shall serve for one academic quarter. C. The Tuesday Readers shall each serve for one third of the academic quarter. Section 3. Eligibility for Office A. Student, faculty, and staff members who are members of The Mother Church are eligible to serve as officers. Sunday Readers must be past Sunday School age. B. No one shall hold a full term of the same office more than once except faculty or staff members. No elected officer shall hold more than one office simultaneously. Section 4. Duties of Executive Board A. The Executive Board shall carry out the regular business of the organization and coordinate its activities in accordance with the organization’s purpose and democratic design. Board decisions must be by simple majority. B. The Board may approve day-to-day expenditures of the organization. Other than expenditures for the organ maintenance fund, lectures, and periodicals, any single expenditure exceeding $200 must be presented by the Board to the membership for approval. C. Each time new members are elected to the Board, the new Board shall choose from its members a Vice-president. D. The Executive Board shall appoint a Clerk, and a Treasurer. E. A representative from the Executive Board shall maintain consistent communication with the President of Principia College. F. The Executive Board shall notify the membership of new members of the organization. Section 5. Duties of Individual board Members A. The president shall chair all Board and business meetings and formulate their agendas, ensure proper communication with members of the organization and act as the official representative of the organization. B. The vice-president shall assist the president, chair Board and business meetings in the president’s absence, and coordinate all of the announcements read by the Tuesday and Sunday readers. Section 6. Duties of Readers The duties of the Readers shall be as specified in Article III of the Manual of the Mother Church. Section 7. Duties of the Treasurer A. The Treasurer shall receive and have custody of all monies of the organization, make all disbursements authorized by the Executive Board, maintain an adequate set of accounts of the financial affairs of the organization in a bank designated by the Executive Board; present a report to the Executive Board at its request and at all business and election meetings. Section 8. Duties of the Clerk The Clerk shall be present at all Board, Business, Election and Special meetings, and take minutes, maintain the organization’s files, and channel all correspondence of the organization promptly. Section 9. Election of Officers Readers and members of the Executive Board are elected by ballot by the membership the quarter before they take office. Section 10. Vacancies and Substitutes A. If a vacancy occurs with less than one half of the term remaining, the Executive Board shall fill it by appointment. If more than one half of the term remains, the vacancy shall by filled by special election. B. If a Reader needs a substitute, the Board shall appoint a student or faculty or staff member who is a member of The Mother Church. ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS Section 1. Sunday services and Midweek Testimony Meetings A. This organization shall conduct Sunday service and midweek testimony meetings in accordance with the Manual of the Mother Church, pages 120 and 122, beginning Parent’s Orientation Weekend and continuing throughout the academic year. B. At the discretion of the CSO Executive Board, and in accord with Article XXIII: Section 8 of the Manual of The Mother Church, the midweek testimony meeting format may be altered to meet a special need for the community. Section 2. Business Meetings A. A regular business meeting of the membership shall be held each quarter called the Quarterly Business Meeting and shall include these elements: 1. Readings from the Bible and/or the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. 2. Abbreviated Minutes of the previous business meeting. 3. Report of the Executive Board. 4. Report of the Treasurer. B. Special business meetings may be called by the Executive Board at any time, or by written request of at least twenty members to the vice-president at least one week prior to the proposed meeting. C. At the regular spring quarter business meeting an item on the agenda shall address possible contributions to be made by this organization to other deserving activities. Members may submit suggestions at any time during the year to the Executive Board who will present its recommendations to the membership at any business meeting. D. The portion of the membership attending a business meeting shall constitute a quorum. No new business that has not been previously posted on the agenda for said business meeting may be voted upon unless one third of the membership currently on campus is present at said business meeting. E. Notice of a business meeting stating its purpose shall be sent to the membership at least one week prior to said meeting, and an agenda shall be posted at the same time. F. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the business meetings of this organization in cases where these bylaws do not apply. Section 3. Election Meetings A. A regular election meeting of the membership shall be held each quarter called the Quarterly election Meeting and shall include readings from the Bible and/or the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. B. The portion of the membership attending a business meeting shall constitute a quorum. ARTICLE VII – POLICIES Policies which supplement these bylaws may be adopted or repealed by a seven-ninths vote of the Executive Board or by a majority of the members present at any business meeting. The following motions were passed at the Special CSO Meeting held on February 27, 2005. 1.) The CSO Board moves to continue holding our Special Tuesday Evening Services in the format of the Wednesday meetings as given on page 122 of the Manual of the Mother Church. 2.) The CSO Board moves to incorporate Fireside Chats as an informal gathering to be held on evenings other than Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The Community Outreach Committee will sponsor these meetings. Each chat will begin with readings from the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s published works. It will then move to an informal sharing and discussion on topics that pertain to Christian Science. ARTICLE VIII – PROPERTY In the event that this organization disbands, all of its assets shall be turned over to The Mother Church’s fund for Christian Science organizations at colleges and universities. ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS. Amendments may be suggested in writing to the Executive Board by any member. The Board shall submit proposed amendments in writing to the membership at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which the amendment will be voted upon.